Candidate for Kansas Senate - District 22

About

I am excited for the opportunity to represent the people of Geary and Riley counties in the Kansas Legislature. As your state senator, I will work hard to represent those issues important to our community; including adequately funding public education, providing all Kansans with affordable health coverage, and expanding opportunities for small business owners. Having lived in the 22nd District for more than half of my life, I am rooted in the rural way of life. I understand and will represent these values in Topeka.

As a small business owner, I understand the challenges of running a successful business. If elected to the Senate, I will work to protect local jobs, increase benefits for state employees, and provide tax relief so that small businesses can flourish.

Rusty, who has been a small business owner for nearly 20 years, currently owns and operates Kites in Manhattan. For 15 years, he served as a member of the Aggieville Board of Directors.

Improving Kansas schools is also a legislative priority. “All Kansas kids deserve a first-rate education. As your state Senator, I will keep our commitment to Kansas schools,” he said.

Rusty has previously served as a guest speaker at Kansas State University’s School of Business, lecturing on business entrepreneurship.

“Our commitment to education must not end with the 12th grade,” he continued. “The Kansas Legislature must continue making enhancements to financial aid and operating grants at K-State and our other Regents Universities so that more Kansas students will be able to take advantage of the excellent higher education opportunities available to them in our state.”

Rusty also pledged to be a strong advocate for accessible and affordable health care. “Providing adequate health care options for Kansans is important to everyone in our community. Unfortunately, in 2008, the legislature voted against a Premium Assistance program that would have helped 24,000 needy Kansas families – 8,000 next year alone. Instead, our current State Senator, a physician by trade, voted to expand the federally-mandated S-CHIP program. This program relies on federal funds to work effectively, funds that have been vetoed twice already this year. The legislature must begin working together to transform our ailing health care system and to provide all Kansans with affordable health insurance. The people of Kansas deserve our serious effort,” he said.

“Our state must also put a greater emphasis on veterans’ issues, as more active-duty military personnel are returning home with special needs. As your State Senator, I will work to improve benefits to active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families. These brave men and women have made tremendous sacrifices to defend our country, and deserve our utmost respect when they return home,” he said.

Rusty is active in numerous community organizations, including the Kansas Leukemia Society, local EMS services, the Flint Hills Bread Basket, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Relay for Life, Mercy Regional Health Center and Manhattan Clean Air. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan.

Rusty is a graduate of Derby High School, where he served as Senior Class President, and attended Kansas State University, studying agriculture and restaurant management. He and his wife, Kathy, have two children; Andrew, age 11, and Katie, age 7.